At the end of the Tulsa Ballet 2026-2027 season, the company’s 70th, current Artistic Director Marcello Angelini and his wife, Assistant Artistic Director Daniela Buson, will retire after more than 30 years of leadership. With more than three decades under their belts, the couple has guided the Oklahoma-based company to global heights.
Marcello Angelini’s Impact on Tulsa Ballet
During Angelini’s leadership, Tulsa Ballet opened the Tulsa Ballet Center for Dance Education (2003), created the second company Tulsa Ballet II (2005), and developed the emerging choreographers program Creations in Studio K (2008).
In a statement, Chair of the Tulsa Ballet Board of Directors Nicole Morgan expresses:
“Marcello’s impact on Tulsa Ballet is impossible to overstate.
He has challenged us to think bigger, dream bigger and pursue excellence in everything we do. Because of his vision and leadership, Tulsa Ballet is recognized far beyond our city and state, while remaining deeply connected to the community we call home.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, I am profoundly grateful to Marcello and Daniela for their extraordinary service and for the foundation they have built for Tulsa Ballet’s future.”
“When I joined Tulsa Ballet in 1995, I promised myself I would never coast and would devote all my energy to helping this organization fulfill its potential.
Over the past 30 years, we have acquired approximately 130 Oklahoma Premieres, created at least 90 World Premieres – including 10 large-scale, full-evening productions – and taken Tulsa Ballet to stages across the country and around the world. I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together.
We need to also recognize Daniela, who has been instrumental in the success of the organization with her meticulous work in the studio, her ability to recognize talent and develop it into stardom, and impeccable taste in dance.
After 30 years of teamwork, I believe the company is now perfectly positioned for continued success. As Tulsa Ballet celebrates its 70th anniversary, we want to welcome its next artistic leader.”
Marcello Angelini, Artistic Director of Tulsa Ballet
Angelini and Buson’s contributions to Tulsa Ballet will be celebrated at the annual Icons & Idols fundraiser in April 2027. An international search will be conducted to identify a successor to Angelini.
Featured Photo of Tulsa Ballet‘s Marcello Angelini courtesy of Tulsa Ballet.
